Winding machine



June 25, 1946. H. w. DOUGHTY. JR

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 1 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. w. DOUGHTY; JR

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16. 1943 June 25, 194 6.

INVENTOR. a r

June 25, 1946. H. w. DOUGHTY, JR I I 3 WINDING MACHINE INV NTOR. W

June 25, 1946- H. w. DOUGHTY, JR 2,402,739

' WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

June 25, 1946. H. wjDouGH'rY; JR

WINDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 16, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII June 25, 1946. H. w. DOUGHTY, JR

WINDING MACHINE Filed OQt. 16, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

Patented June 25, 1946 WINDING MACHINE Howard W. Doughty',1r., Westiield, Mara, as-

signor to Foster Machine Company, Westiield. Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October is, 1943, Serial No. 506,481

29 Claims.

The present invention relates to a new and improved yarn winding machine, and particularly to improvements in high-speed yarn winding machines of the type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,355,634, for Winding yarn on paper cores, or the like.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means oi. the instrumentalities and combination pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and,together with trol box, with its cover removed, and with the micro-switches broken away to show their internal construction;

Fig. is a detailed sectional view on the line 5-5 oi Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the control box of Fig. 4, also with the cover removed;

Fig. '7 is a iragmentary detailed sectional view, showing the tension adjusting means for regulating the action of the control spring and the maximum tension which may be applied to the winding strand. as well as the counterbalance and adjusting means for regulating the pressure which may be applied to the winding package;

Fig. 7-A is a iragmentarydetailed sectional view, showing the tension adjustingmeans for regulating the action of the control spring and the minimum tension which may be applied to the winding strand, as at the finish of a full wound package;'

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale oi the mercury relay. showing the parts thereof in normal circuit closing position; and

Fig. 9 1 a similar view, showing the parts of the mercury relay in cut-out or open position.

The present invention has ior one of its objects the provision of an improved high-speed winding machine for winding yarn into packages at a tension best suited to the yarn and in which the winding action is controlled by the tension of the yarn being wound. A further object 01'. the invention is the provision of a winding apparatus which will wind an improved package of 'any size and of yarn 01 any kind without difliculties causing the formation of irregular package or damage to .the yarn by excessive and/or irregular tension during the winding process. The invention further provides a yarn winding machine in which the drag tension imposed on the yarn being wound can be accurately set and the operating tension on the yarn automatically controlled, and in which the speed of winding is automatically regulated by the operating tension on the yarn being wound, whatever it may be.

Still another object .01 the invention is the provision of an improved winding machine for yarn having means for applying any desired pressure on the .package while it is being formed, for quickly topping the machine on the breakage or exhaustion of the yarn, and for regulating the tension of the yarn and governing the winding speed in proportion to the yarn tension so as to produce perfect packages.

Still another object of the invention is to provide electrical speed controlling and mechanical tension controlling means for controlling the .winding speed and tension so as to maintain a proper working ratio as between winding speeds and tensions and to prevent excessive and/or irregular tension on the yarn from any cause.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for imposing and maintaining a desired and/or regular tension on the yarn or reducing the effective tension on the yarn from start to finish of a package, so as to enable a. high speed winding action to be carried out.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel electrical means for driving a winding spindle and for automatically controlling the speed of the spindle to sensitively and accurately vary and regulate the winding'speed in accordance with the tension on the yarn.

In the winding of yarn, particularly synthetic yarns, such as rayon, nylon, and other filaments, it is 0! great importance that the yarn be wound under a suitable and/or regular tension, varying with the particular yarn, and that the yarn should not .be subjected to any excessive and/or irregular tension during the various winding and other operations to which it is subjected prior to dyeing. Not only does excessive tension increase Heretofore, it has been customary to vary the 1 drag on the yarn with the object of decreasing the winding tension, but devices designed for this purpose have hitherto not proved to be entirely satisfactory. It has also been proposed to vary the speed of the winding spindle .to compensate for its increasing. diameter, so that the yarn may be wound at a substantially constant linear speed, but these devices have .proved to be unsatisfactory, as they do not compensate for variations in tension caused by the thread or yarn itself, by the supply package from which the yarn I is being wound, by the traverse of the yarn across the package of either a tube or a cone, or by the diii'erence in diameter between the ends of a conical package.

In accordance with the present invention, the winding or packaging of textile yarns is controlled by the tension of the yarn being wound, and this control is exercised by varying the applied tension on the yarn as the package builds up and by varying the linear speed of the yarn under the control of and in accordance with the tension of the yarn itself. As illustrated. the invention is shown as applied to a winding machine corresponding in general to a Poster standard winder for producing precise wound cones or tubes. The spindle of the winding machine is adapted to receive a paper core on which the package is to be wound, and this spindle is driven 4 proper winding speed switch is preferably provided in the motor circuit and is adapted to be opened on a decreasein yarn tension corresponding; to a breakage or,

exhaustion of the yarn to stop the motor when andyarntension.

the yarn is broken or its supply is interrupted for anyreason. -A third switch is also preferably provided in the circuit to stop the motorwhen a package of the desired size is formed and the action of this switch may be controlled to effect the stopping of the motor when a package of any desired size is formed. Due to the variations in tension of the yarn being supplied to the package being wound. and to the constant variations in speed of yarn travel due to the movement of the yarn guide in supplying yarn to the precise" wound package, the motor control switch, particularly at high and highest possible winding speeds, is constantly closed and opened to control 'the relay for current supply actions, the time periods during which the relay opens and closes the circuit determining the speed of running of the motor driving the winding spindle, which is designed to be precisely suited to the tension 0 the yarn being wound.

The tension devicewhich subjects the yarn to a predetermined frictional drag is capable of manual adJustment so as to produce the desired normal or initial tension on the yarn at the start of winding and is thereafter responsive to the action of a machine part controlled in the winding action to reduce the friction on the yarn as the winding speed increases due to the increase in diameter of the package being wound. Other means, controlled also by the said machine part, are preferably provided for varying the response of the feeler guide or drop wire to the changes in yarn tension and the sensitivmess of action of.

the motor control switch as the diameter of the by an electric motor which can operate at widely different speeds but normally is operated so as to drive the package at a high speed comparable to or exceeding that of conventional winders.

The yarn to be wound is led in the usual manner from the supply package through a tensioning devime which subjects the yarn to a predetermined tension. Thereafter, the yarn passes through a feeler guide or drop wire which is raised by increases in tension and is lowered as the yarn tension decreases, after which the yarn passes to the traversing thread guide which moves back and forth along the surface of the package being wound on the. spindle.

The feeler guide or drop wire controls a normally open quick acting motor control snap switch which is adapted to be actuated on minute movement such as is caused by relatively small movements of the feeler guide corresponding to minor changes in the tension of the yarn. A normally closed mercury relay is interposed in the motor circuit and is adapted to be opened or closed by energizing and tie-energizing, respectively, the

solenoid coil thereof through the actuation of the snap switch thereby opening the power circuit to the motor whenever the yarn tension exceeds or falls below'the proper operating-tension so that the motorspeedisregulatedto maintain the means for controlling the tension of the wound yarn. Such means for performing these automatic controlling actions are adjustable so that their actions may be varied to secure maximum efficiency or operation and to suit the character oftheyarnwhichistobewound.

As illustrated, the feeler guide or dropwire,

'thequick acting snap switches. the relay and their control means preferably comprise a removable unit which can be 'quickly detached from the machine, the units being interchangeable, and may be replaced on the same or another machine. thereby facilitating and expediting replacement of the machine in service if adjustment or repair of the control unit is required, as well as permitting the control units to be accurately adiusted while they are removed from machines serving for production.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the invention'as shown in' the accompanying drawings, the invention is applied to a Poster winding machine having a spindle II to receive the usual paper core Ii on which the yarn I! is to be wound. Spindle II is mounted for rotation and is provided with a pulley It .by which it is-driven from the electric motor I through belt ll. 'nns motor may be a capacitator-run. capacitator-start motor of fractional horsepower. ora motor or any other suitable type. The yarn II is supplied from a conventional supply package (not shown) and passes between the slotted tension plates of the tension device create it including a laterally movable member adapted to be controlled. as hereinafter described. to impose a desired frictional pressure and operating accuse tension on the winding yarn. From the tension .gatetheyarnextendstoandpasses overailuted otally connected, as at 22, to a counterweight 24 having an oifest arm 22 in which is swiveled or otherwise suitably fitted an adjusting screw 22 in threaded engagement with athreaded block or socket 21 on the bar end 22. By means of this screw the counterweight may be easily, accurately and positively adjusted to balance the weight of the upper guide parts and to also apply any desired pressure from 0 to 500 grams to the winding package without the use of any additional levers, weights or other means forthe purpose. The guide bar l1 and yarn guide l2 are mounted on the swinging frame l2 and by the same on the machine, frame in the usual manner so that the guide I! is and its driving parts are moved away from the spindle l2 progressively as the package builds by the winding of yarn thereon. Preferably the guide It is spaced from the package by. means of a freely rotatable roller 22 mounted in a yoke 22 and supported on the frame I! and bearing against the package, and the guide I8 is driven in its traversing movement by meansof the usual traverse rod, cam, etc. (not shown), so that it makes one traverse to and fro along "the surface of the package, each several revolutions of the package. 1

Between the spindle I0 and the tension device I. is provided the electrical control apparatus in accordance with the present invention, which illustratively comprises a box or casing 20 of generally rectangular form which is or may be detachably mounted in any preferred manner on the winding machine frame. Mounted within or supported by this box are control switches 3|, 22

and 22 and a control relay 24. The switche 3|, 22 and 22 are preferably quick acting snap or toggle switches adapted to operate rapidly on slight movement and requiring only light pressure for their operation, those shown being of the type disclosed in the McGall Patent 1,960,020 and known in the trade as Micro Switches." These switches 'require only a few thousandths of an inch moveto the machine frame 22 at 2| and 6 22 pivoted at 42 adjacent one. end thereof and provided at its free end with a roller 4|. The plungers 22 of switches 2| and '22 are operative when actuated to move their contact springs 21 from closed to open position, while the plunger of spring 22 is operative when actuated to move as contact spring 21 from open to closed posi- .The switch is employed in association with coacting controlling means to control the motor circuit to automatically stop the operation of the motor when a'package of a prescribed size is formed, and the action of the said control means may be regulated to stop the winding operationwhen a package of any prescribed size is formed. The switch 22 is employed in connection with associated controlling means to control the motor circuit to automatically stop the operation of the motor when the yarn breaks or the yarn supply runs out. The switch 22 is adapted to be shunted across the circuit and employed in conjunction with the relay 24 and associated controlling means for motor circuit controlling actions to stop the operation of the motor when a predetermined high operating tension of the feeding yarn is exceeded and to cut the motor in and out as the yarn tension varies and by such actions govern its winding speed in accordance with or in proportion to the tension on the yarn as it builds up in the package, to secure, in connection with automatic ,tension controlling means, a high speed winding operation in which the operating tension of the yarn is varied in accordance with or proportional to its winding speed while its winding tension is kept uniform or reduced, and at all times is controlled during the merit and a few ounces of pressure to operate them, but due to the cam action and leverage of the drop wire only a few grams are required to operate the drop wire by the yarn and thus very rapid operation of the switch is provided; for instance, as rapidly as several times per second.

The switches 2|, 22' and 32 are similar in construction, differing only in their relative arrangement and position of their parts with respect to each other and to the parts of the control mechanism with which they cooperate, and in. the fact that switches 3| and 32 are normally closed switches, while switch 32 is a normally open switch. Each switch comprises an insulating switch housing 25 in which is slidable a switch actuating plunger 35 contacting with a snap acting spring contact 31 near its fulcrum, so that minute movement of the plunger 26 moves the contact spring 31 out of or into contact with a coacting fixed contact 38, thereby quickly breaking or making the circuit. Each switch plunger is adapted to be actuated by an operating lever winding operation.

The wiring diagram of the circuit in which the motor, micro-switches and mercury relay are arranged is shown in Fig. 2 and the construction of the mercury relay is shown in .detail in Figs. 8' and 9. In Fig. 2 the motor i4 is shown as arranged in a v.-A. C. circuit including conductors 42, 42, 44 and a fuse 45. The normally closed switches 2| and 22 are disposed in the conductor 42 in series with each other and with the normally open switch 23. Conductor 43 is connected to one terminal of the motor and conductor 42 is connected to the other terminal of the motor through the normally closed mercury relay switch 46 when the latter is closed. The relay 34 includes a controlling solenoid whose coil is arranged in a portion of the conductor 43 adapted to be connected by the switch 22 with the conductor 42 to energize said coil to open the mercury relay and the motor circuit and stop the operation of the motor.

The mercury relay, which is controlled by but makes and breaks the motor circuit electrically independent of the contacts of switch 33, comprises an insulated outer shell or casing 41 having a closure cap 41 and inclosing an inner metallic stationary input .electrode shell 48, the lower portion of which forms a cup 48' containing a body of mercury 49, and the upper portion of which provides a receiving chamber for supports 50 of insulating material carrying a conductor 5| from which depends an output electrode rod 52 which projects downwardly into the mercury cup. Loosely arranged for vertical movement in the mercury cup is a hollow cylindrical displacing plunger or solenoid core 53 of suitable material. The electrodes 48 and 52 are connected by the input and output conductors 54 and 55 to portions of the circuit conductor 44 and surrounding theshell 41 is an electromagnet coil 56 I 7 which is terminally connected to portions of the circuit conductor 43. Normally the core 53 rests on the bottom of the cup 48' and its specific gravity is such as to displace and raise the level of the mercury from its normal level :r--.r, at .which it lies below the electrode 52, as shown in Fig. 9,

'to a level 11-11 in whichit contacts said electrode and electrically connects the same withthe electrode 43, as shown in Fig: 8, and electrically connects the motor in circuit with the conductors 42 and 43. The core is adapted to be raised by the influence of the magnetic flux oi solenoid coil 38 when the latter is energized and thereby lower the level of the mercury and electrically disconnect the electrodes 48 and 52, thus cutting out and stopping the operation of the motor l4. Solenoid coil, 56 is de-energized when switch 33 is in its normally open position and energized when switch 33 is closed and bridges the conductors 42 and 43.

The switch 33 and relay switch 43, a before stated, operate in conjunction with each other to control the speed of the motor and are in turn controlled by means governing and governed by the tension on the yarn to regulate the winding speed to correspond to or in accordance with the tension, whatever it may be at the time, on the yarn, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the structure disclosed in my aforesaid Patent No. 2,355,634, a micro-switch is employed to alternately shunt in and out of the motor circuit a 150-ohm fixed resistor to control the motor speed and necessarily the winding speed. This The electrical controlling apparatus above described coacts with novel and improved parts of the winding mechanism to control the winding operation in a simple, reliable and efllcient manner to secure the desired results. As shown, the switch 3| is arranged vertically at the top of the box" and the rollered end 4| of its operating lever 33 project outwardly and upwardly into the path of a contact device 51 mounted on the swinging frame l9 and movable therewith. The arrangement of this contact 51 is such that at the end of the operation of winding a package it en'- gages the roller 4| and operates the lever 33 to open the switch 3| and automatically stop the operation of the motor. The contact 51 i threaded for adjustable engagement with the type of control is satisfactory under many conditions, but, as used, in the structure disclosed in said application, has been found open to certain disadvantages. Because of the open contact construction of the micro-switch, the necessarily small air gap between the contacts in the open position and the rapidity of actuation, a sufliciently great electronic bombardment and arcing occurs to cause heating and inter-transfer of contact materials resulting in an ultimate welding together of the contacts and short active life of the switch. Also, in the structure disclosed in my said prior application the yarn tension control means is designed to maintain the operating tension on the yarn fixed and constant throughout the package doll. This, while satisfactory when winding certain yarns, has been found objectionable with others, such as in causing poor package forming in winding low denier, low twist yarns, and reducing output in winding yarns capable of being wound at high speed, since theprior controlling means, by holding the tension to a pre-adjusted level, so greatly reduced the winding speed in winding certain yarns as to cause a greatly reduced production in winding. In contradistinction, the present invention provides new and improved means to decrease the tension on the yarn progressively, as the package builds up. The use of a' mercury switch alone i advantageous from the standpoint of durability, because of the electrical non-destructive nature of mercury as a contact material, but too great a force is required to operate it by ordinary switching mean from the tension control means and its diflerential balance in its use alone would be so wide as to permit undesirable surges inwinding speeds. By. however, employing. a mercury relay in the motor circuit to directly control the motor and a'micro-switc'h governed by means controlled by the winding speed and the yarn tension to in turn control the relay a rapid control of the motor and desired balancing difierentials in motor swinging frame I9 so that its position with respect to the rollered end of the lever 33 of switch 3| may be varied, to control the operation to stop the motor when a package of any desired size is formed, and suitable means, such as a locknut 38, may be provided to firmly secure thepontact in any of its positions of adjustment.

The switches 32 and 33 are arranged horizontally in the box 30, one above the other, and

their operating levers 33 are so mounted that 32 is closed and switch 33 open. Movement of the drop wire 82 downward to position b by gravity in the absence of tension on the yarn, due to its breakage or running out, causes the lever 30 to open switch 32 and thereby quickly stop the operation of the motor. Movement of the drop wire 62 upwardly under excessive yarn tension to position 0 causes the lever to close switch 33 and thereby open the relay 34 to stop the motor or to cause switch 33 and relay 34 to alternately open and close the motor circuit to control the motor so as to govern its speed and enable its speedto be regulated to keep the yarn under proper operating tension while winding it at variable high speeds. As shown, the yarn I2 passes from the tension device over a fluted bar 63 and through a guide loop64 at the outer end of the drop wire. This loop 84 is positioned to one side oi the yarn path between the bar 33 and the guide bar I1 and the yarn is looped over the fluted bar 63 under the end then through the loop 84, which deflects the" yarn from its straight path. Thus, as the yarn tension increases in the length of the yarn betweenthe tension device I8 and bar 63 and the bar H, the drop wire is lifted, while a decrease in yam tension allows the drop wire to fail.

For variably adjusting the tension gate I! to impose a desired starting and variable operating or running tension on the yarn, and for further controlling and regulating the action of the at a tension best suited for the character of the yarn being wound at the winding speed at any time at which it is being wound, means are provided which may be manually set to impose a desired starting tension on the yarn and will thereafter automatically perform the aforesaid speed and tension control functions. These means comprise a vertically disposed, laterally swinging, floating motion transmitting or regulatirm bar or lever 66 disposed between the tension device l6 and box 36. The swingable bar 65 pivotally supported on a stud 62, is provided with a plurality of openings 66 at its upper end for the adjustable engagement therewith of a pivot block 61, and at its lower end the bar is provided with an elongated series of openings 61 for the adjustable engagement therewith of pivot blocks 66 and 69. A rod 10 is connected at one end to the block 61 and is suitably formed at its opposite end for engagement with any one of a series of openings H in the balancing and pressure controlling counter-weight 24. The bar 66 is thus coupled to the counter-weight of the swinging guide frame so as to move therewith and so as to be moved rearwardly with the tail portion of said frame and impart similar motion to the bar 65 as the package builds up. The extent of this movement of bar 65 under prescribed movements of the swinging frame may obviously be varied by varying the adjustable connections, one or both, between the rod 16, bar 66 and counter-weight 24. A rod 12 is engaged at one end with the block 68 and carries at its opposite end a sliding clip or ,clutch member 13 which engages the movable member of the tension gate l6, whereby said member is coupled to the bar 65 for movements therewith. A coiled spring 14 on the rod between block 68 and gate i6 furnishes sufficient pressure to keep the gate normally closed, while allowing it to be manually opened for "threading up without disturbing its adjustment. A knurled elastic retaining and adjusting nut 15 bears on the clip I3 and has threaded engagement with the rod to hold the clip in adjusted position and is adapted to be threaded in or out to allow any initial or starting tension to be imposed on the yarn which may be reduced with respect to the initial tension by movements of the bar 65 away from the gate and through the movements of the weight 24 rearwardly as the package builds up. The amount of the initial tension and the extent of tension reducing movement may also be varied by adjustable engagement of the block with the openings 61'. A third rod I6 has one of its ends threaded and passing through the block 69 and provided with a check nut 11 and an adjusting and clamping nut 16 whereby it is adjustab'iy connected with said block 69. The opposite end of this rod is connected to an arm 16 on a rock shaft 60 carrying a control spring II which bears against the underside of the operating lever 69 of the micro-switch II to oppose a predetermined resistance to the switch closing movement of said lever. The pressure exerted upon the drop wire 62 by the tension created on the yarn must exceed the pressure of control spring II in order for micro-switch 33 to be actuated, and this spring by its pressure establishes the high tension on the yarn which the electrical control mechanism will permit. This pressure, and consequently the high permissible tension, may be varied by changing the position of the block 69 on the bar .66 and more particularly by adjustment of the rod by the nut I8 to vary the effective length and throw of the rod. Through the connection of the rod 16 with the bar 66 motion is applied to control spring 6| in a counter-clockwise direction for a pressure reducing action-as the guide frame moves under the diameter increase of the winding package. This automatically reduces the pressure at which switch 33 may be operated and at the same time the movement of the bar 66 effects adjustment of the tension device through the connection 12 to allow progressively less tension to be imposed by the tension device on the yarn during the package doif.

In winding machines of the general type to which the present invention relates it is the usual practice to rotate the spindl at a constant rate of speed and to wind the yarn on a cylindrical or conical tube or other holder mounted on the spindle. When yarn is wound on a machine of this type the linear speed-or draft of the yarn passing to the spindle is gradually increased, due to the constantly increasing diameter of the package being wound. Owing to this linear increase in speed of the yarn ballooning of the yarn as it unwinds'from the supply bobbin occurs, which is progressive as the linear speed increases, the effect of which causes an increase in tension of the yarn and an increased resistance toits passage through the tension device from start to finish of the package. As a result, the yarn may be subjected to an excessively high tension, causing its breakage or its improper winding on the package, or it may be subjected to strains rendering it imperfect or unfit for use.

As before briefly stated, to overcome the deflciencies above mentioned, it has heretofore been proposed to provide various means in the form of compensating devices for gradually reducing the operating tension on the yarn as its linear speed increases, whereby to progressively decrease the tension at the package during the entire winding operation, and while the spindle is operating at a constant rotative speed, but such devices, besides being of complex character and requiring constant attention on the part of the operator, have not proved to be entirely efficient.

It has also been heretofore proposed to overcome theaforesaid objections to prior machines by providing a winding machine in which the linear speed of the yarn is maintained substantially constant during the entire winding operation, without the use of compensating devices, but by motor speed controlling means governed solely by the change in diameter of the package being wound for gradually reducing the rotative speed of the winding spindle in accordance with the progressive increase in diameter of the package being wound in such manner as to keep the linear speed of the yarn and the tension on the yarn constant throughout the winding operation. Such a control means, however, is unsatisfactory because it does not take care of the many variables entering into practical'winding, due to variations in tension caused by the thread or yarn itself, by the supply package from which the yarn is being wound, by the traverse of the thread across the package of either a tube or a cone or by-the difference in diameter between the ends of a conical package, and any method of winding governed solely by maintaining a constant linear speed of the yarn greatly reduces thequantityofyarnwhichmaybewoundin a I fore,-winders operating on the principle of maintaining a constant rotative speed of the spindle are too fast and have a detrimental action on and cannot maintain or preserve the quality of the thread, while winders operating on the princi ple of maintaining a, constant linear speed of the thread are too slow from the standpoint of economical production.

The present invention differs from machines operating on the principle of maintaining a constant speed of the spindle or maintaining a constant linear speed of the thread, and its operating action is based on the principle of generally controlling the tension ofthe thread and the linear speed of the thread in proportion'to the winding speed as the winding package increases in diameter and controlling the spindle or winding -speed by the tension of the.thread, which may be a constant tension, a decreasing tension or a fluctuating or variable tension, according to the character of the yarn, and to the winding speed required at diii'erent times during the winding operation, whereby the quality of the yarn may be maintained and wound packages of perfect form economically produced without imposins an excessive tension on the thread.

It'is well known that different kinds of yarn, particularlysynthetic yarns, have different fric-, tional and other properties, requiring their winding at diiferent proportional speeds and under stant basic tension suited to the particular yarn and which alone or in connection with added resistance means determines the maximum tension which may be imposed thereon at a predeterminedwindingspeedtopreventlireakage.

thereof or undue strain thereon, and to provide means for variably reducing the tension toproper degreesasthewindingspeedvariessndtocontrolthewindingspeedinproportiontooracoordancewiththeyarntensiontoallow theyarn toberapidiywoundtofcrmaperfectpackage and without liability or breakage or As the coeihcient of friction of the yarn varieslthe winding speed must be varied proportionately. Thei'ricticnvaluein somecasesmaybelow and suchthatincreasesinspeedofwindingdonot' ingltrandtobeMvelyreducedakthe diameteroi'thep'ackage increases. Bythismeans mmembemofflicincrealing mph-t or! of the to obtain'greater winding speeds without changing or increasing the tension. Inthoseeases, however, where the l 1 frictional value is high andfof varying frictional V ooeflicientsin various yarns, theinitiai tension ontheyarnmust'bevariedandestablished for-a sivedyarnandinthewindingoperationsagrah- I asoarse I sion (increases and decreases in certain limits) must be allowed to govern the tension according to the winding speed and linear speed of travel ortheyarnandto govern the winding speed in proportion to or accordance with the tension on the yarn. 1

The operation of the apparatus in accordance with these principles is as follows:

The tension gate II is first adjusted by adjustment of its controller I! to impose the desired initial friction and tension on the yarn. The control devices I1, II and It are also adjusted, if not properlyadiusted, to control the action of switch ll to stop the machine when a package of the desired size is formed, and to govern the movements 01' the bar" which governs the actions of the controlling devices I! and It. The machine is then started into action to wind the yarn on the core II as the spindle I. revolves. In practice the spindle II is driven by the motor I at a uniform generally high motor speed suited for the yarn, and varied only by the control actions of the switch 83 and relay 34 as running conditions require. As the winding builds up and progressively increases in diameter, the guiding means, which maintains a desired pressure on the package, moves outward, thus transmitting movement through the ,control rod 12 to the bar or lever Cl, which in turn adjusts the control elements I! and i l to gradually and progressively reduce respectively the frictional pressure of the tension gate II on the yarn and to similarly reduce the resistance of the control spring II to the operation of lever II of switch a by the drop wire or i'eeler I. The reduction in friction of the tensiongate II on the yarn as it occurs is proportional to the increases in winding speed as the package increases in diameter and its peripheral speed increases, so that, genorally speaking, a proper operating tension is maintained on the yarn while it is permitted to travel at gradually increasing linear speeds" and to be moved at highest permissible speed, suited to the yarn, on the core ll. When the winding reaches a stage to form a package of the proper diameter contact I! engages the roller 4! of lever I. oi switch SI and opens said switch to break the motor circuit and stop the motor it. If at any time the operating tension on the yarn should drop to an abnormal degree, due to breakage'or exhaustion of the yarn, the drop wire or i'eeler I! will fall to positionb and actuate the operating lever ll of switch I! which will be moved to open position to break the motor circuit" and stop the motor. It will, of course, be

, understood that the initial friction on the yarn imposed by adjustment of the gate ll may vary within wide limits, according to the character and frictional coeiiicien'ts of different yarns, so that the initialiriction imposed on some yarns may be comparatively high while the friction imposed on other yarns may be comparatively low,-

and in some cases very light and almost negligible. Very light initial iriction'al pressures may beiniposedonyarnswhichintheirrun'ningaetiontendtoimposeuponthemselvestheproper tension proportional to their linear speed to keep the tension more or less substantially constant.

The winding operation, however, is always 'underlthe control oi the switch-SI and relay N, which control the spindle speed from start toflnishofthepackagetoregulateandmaintain a proper tension on the; yarn for high winding speed, and which-are controlled bythe tension mlm nfluomdfluct flons n hrsot-theyamitselfto govern thespindie speed.

13 accordingly. At any and all times in the wind-- ing operation, notwithstanding the general tension regulating action eflected by movements of the bar 65, the yarn tension may fluctuate due to the many variables referred to, and particularly at high winding speed, which it is desirable to secure and maintain, and the switch 33 and relay 3| are provided to take care of these fluctuations-and to maintain a proper operation tension on the yarn at high winding speed.

With any 'given rate of uniform speed of the spindle the winding speed increases as the diameter of the winding increases. At low winding speeds the friction of the gate and resistance of the spring 8i may be high. As the winding speed increases friction and resistance are reduced, but due to various factors the tension on the yarn may be raised to an extent to cause the drop wire or feeler 62 to move to position c. this occurs the switch 33 will be operated against any prevailing resistance of the spring II to energize the coil of relay 34 to open the relay switch. The motor will then slow down or its operation will be slowly arrested untilthe yarn tension is reduced within safe limits sufficiently to bring drop wire 62 back to its normal position (1, thereby causing switch 33 to open and the relay coil to be de-energized, with the result that switch 48 is closed and the motor speeded up or started into action. The fluctuations mentioned necessarily increase in number as the winding speed increases, during which the resistance of the spring Si is reduced and the sensitiveness of the switch 33 to actuation by the drop wire 32 is increased, so that at high winding speeds the switch 33 and relay 34 may be more or less constantly in action to allow the high winding speed to prevail while governing the speed of the motor and spindle whenever the yarn tension rises unduly or becomes excessive to reduce the winding speed and the yarn tension to proper proportionate ratios. The switch 33 and relay 34 are adapted to operate very rapidly at the highest permissible winding speed and yarn tension under slight plus and minus tension changes above and below the highest permissible operating tension so that, even at highest speed, breakage of or injurious strains on the yarn will be prevented while the machine oper-' ates to rapidly produce perfect windings in an economical manner.

As in the employed micro-switch-mercuryrelay combination, the micro-switch 33 does not directly control the flow of current to the motor,

but simply energizes and de-energizes the solenoid coil 56 of the mercury electric'relay which controls the current flow, a rapidly operating combination is produced and one which is of durable character. With this arrangement the micro-switch is subjected to only the current influences of the solenoid coil 33 of the mercury relay, for small periods of time only, an influence of approximately 6 milliamperes, rather than to the total influence of the full motor circuit which would be approximately 1% amperes. Such reduction in current influence across the micro-switch minimizes the electronic bombardment or other action liable to cause injury to or the welding together of its contacts. Also while this switch operates with great fre- When of the mercury switch to directly control the flow -its slowness of action when used in connection,

with any other type of energizing switch, is overcome by the use of the rapidly operating microswitch which will energize and de-energize the quency, especially at high winding speeds, the

number of times it operates in any given winding operation is reduced by reason of the fact that the mechanical tension control means relieves it of a part of the tension control work. The use solenoid coil of the relay with such rapidity that the working actions of the plunger 53 will be speeded up. For rapid actions it is not essential that the plunger make full strokes as short strokes sufficient to change the level of the mercury to cause it to make and break contact with the electrode 52 are all that is necessary, and such strokes are effected by rapid and short periods of energization and de-energization of the solenoid coil 53.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described. but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

1. The method of winding a strand On a package, which includes initially subjecting the running yarn to a predetermined amount of friction, controlling the speed of rotation of the package in accordance with the tension of the yarn, and reducing the friction on the yarn as the diameter of the package increases.

2. The method of winding a strand on a package which includes initially subjecting the running yarn to a predetermined amount of friction, controlling the speed of rotation of the package in accordance with the tension of the yarn, reducing the friction on the yam as the diameter of the package increases, and increasing the normal speed of winding of the yarn with the increase in package diameter whereby the speed of winding is substantially increased while maintaining a substantially constant tension on the yarn.

3. The method of winding yarn in a package. which consists in rotating the Package to draw yarn thereon, imposing a predetermined initial surface friction on the winding yarn, reducing the surface friction on the yarn progressively as the diameter of the winding increases until the maximum allowable tension of the yarn is reached or exceeded, and raising and lowering the winding speed as the tension fluctuates in the region of and between points above and below the maximum allowable tension to maintain a substantially uniform tension on the yarn proportionate to the winding speed.

4. The method of winding yarn in a package, which consists in initially subjecting the running Yarn to a predetermined amount offriction, controlling the speed of rotation of th package-in accordance with the tension of the yarn, opposing a resistance to a change in the speed of rotation, and reducing the friction on the yarn and resistance to the. speed of rotation as the diameter of the package increases.

5. The method of winding yarn in a package, which consists in imposing a predetermined initial friction on the winding yam, varying the sur- -face friction on the yarn as the diameter of the an excessive and a maximum allowable tension the yarn substantially constant.

' mam permissible winding speed for the applied operating tension of the yarn through fluctuations in yarn tension above and below the applied tension.

'1. In a yarn winding apparatus, the combination of a motor driven spindle to support a package to be wound, a tension gate through which the yarn passes as itis wound, means for varying the friction -of the tension gate on the yarn as. the diameter of the package increases by winding,

and means controlled by the tension of the winding yarn for controllingthe speed of the motor to maintain the winding speed as high as consistent with a predetermined tension of said '8'. In a yarn winding appaartus, the combination of a motor driven spindle to support a package to be wound, a tension gate through which the yarn passes as it is wound, means for varying the friction of the tension gate on the yarn as the diameter of the package increases by winding, and power supply controlling means controlled by the tension of the yarn and actuated by the yarn being wound for controlling the motor speed to maintain the winding speed as fast as permitted by the applied tension on 9. In a yarn winding apparatus, the combination of. a motor driven spindle to support a p ckage to be wound, a tension gate through which the yarn passes as it is wound, means for adjusting the tension gate to impose a predetermined tension on the yarn, means for varying the friction of the tension gate on the yarn in accordance with the diameter of the package. and

. means controlled by the tension of the yarn as it is wound for varying the motor speed to maintain' the winding speed as fast as permitted by the imposed tension on the yarn being wound.

10. In a yarn winding apparatus, the combination oi a motor driven spindle to support a package to be wound, a tension gate through 60 which the yarn passes as it is wound, means for varying the friction of the tension gate on the yarn, and means controlled by the tension of the the tension gate and controlling the power supplied to the motor to'coordinately control the tension oftheyarnandtovarythemotorspeed tokeepthewinding speedandllnearspeedof 11. In a yarn winding apparatus. the combination of a motor driven spindle to support a package to be wound, a tension gate through.

which the yarn passes as it is wound, means for varyingthefrictionofthetensiongateonthe' as-predetermined increase in yarn tension.

70 to cutofl the supply or power to the motor on.

12. In a yarn winding machine, the combine tion ofaspindle on which the package is to be 16 op r ted y hangeainyarntensionasthewindingspeedchangmsaidswitchbeingcapableof relatively rapid operation with respect to the change in motor speed whereby the speed of switching determines the motor and spindle speed, and a relay operated by the switch and controlling the power supplied to the motor for varying th spindle speed. 7

13. In a yarn winding machine, the combination of a motor driven spindle. on which the p e is to be wound, a control device actuated by the tension of the yarn and controlling the speed of the motor, a spring opposing a resistance to the actuation of said device, and means for varying the resistance of the spring as the package increases in diameter by winding.

14. In a yarnwinding machine, the combination of a motor driven spindle on which the package is to be wound, means controlling the supply of power to the motor and actuated by the tension of theyarn, a spr ng pp si g a resistanoe to the actuation of said means, and means for varying the resistance of the sprin as the winding programs.

15. In a yarn winding machine, the combination of a motor driven spindle on which the package is to be wound, a device for controlling the supply of power to the motor, a device actuated by the tension of'the yarn for actuating the first named device, a spring normally pposing movement of the second named device by the first named device, and means operating as the diameter of the package increases for reducing the effective resistance of the spring.

16. In a yarn winding machine, the combination of a motor driven spindle'on which the package is to be wound; means including a switch for controlling the supp y of power to the m tor and actuated by'the tension oi' the yarn, a spring opposing a resistance to the actuation of the switch by the yarn, and means controlled in accordance with the diameterof the pack se being wound for lessening the resistance of the v 17. Inayarnwindingapparatus,yarnwinding means, a tension device for imposing an initially predetermined tension on the running yarn, means controlled byyarn tension for controlling thespeedofthewindingnreanaandineanscontrolled by the increase in diameter of the package beingwolmd for oontrollingthe tension device toregulatethetensionontheyarn.

18. Ina yarn winding apparatus, yarn winding means. a tension device for imposing an initially predetermined tension on the running yarn, meanscontrolledbytheactionofthemachine for varying the yarn tension as the diameter of. the windingincreaaes, and means controlled byyarntensionfor-controllingthewinding means and regulating the winding speed pr portionate toyarntensionasthediameterofthewinding' increases. v

19. Inayarnwindingapparahmamotordriven winding spindle, a tension device for imposing an initially predeterminedtension on the yarn beingwoundbythe spindiaacontrollar governed byyarntensionforregulatingthespindlespeed,

adevicefornormallyopposingaresistanoeto-the action of the means governing said tension device and said resistance device for progressively reducing the tension onthe yarn.

20. Inayarnwinding apparatlmamotor driven winding spindle, mean for imposing an initially predetermined tension on the yarnbeing wound wound-amour for driving the spindle, a; switch is on the spin le. m a s r p omed elr reducin in accordance with the yarn tension.

18 the current cut of! action of the switch, means responsive to an increase in diameter of the package being wound for controlling said tension and resistance devices to progressively reduce the surface friction of the tension device on the yarn 1 and the reslstanceof the resistance device to'the operation of the switch as the diameter of the 7 package increases, and means responsive to the 22. In a yarn winding apparatus, a motor driven winding spindle, means for imposing an initially predetermined tension on the winding yarn, means operative in the winding action ior reducing the tension on the yarn as the diameter of the winding increases, and means controlled by the tension of the yarn as the diameter of the winding increases for'controlling the speed of the spindle in accordance with the yarn tension.

23. In a yarn winding mechanism, winding means, electrical means for driving the winding means, tension means for imposing an initially predetermined tension upon the yarn being wound, and current control means for controlling the supply of current to the driving means, said current control means comprising a normally closed mercury relay and a normally open microswitch, said switch being closed and opened by relatively high and low tensions on the yarn to open and close the relay.

24. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a motor for rotating the spindle to wind yarn thereon to form a package, means for imposing an initially predetermined surface friction on the yarn, means controlled by the tension on the yarn for controlling the speed of the spindle to vary its effective winding speed during a period of time when the yarn tension exceeds or falls below a predetermined maximum tension at a predetermined linear speed of the yarn, and

means operativ in the winding of the package for progressively reducing the surface friction on the yarn as the diameter of the package increases. Y

25. In a winding machine, a winding spindle,

.an electric motor for rotating the spindle to wind determined maximum tension, for cutting oif or letting on the supply of current to the motor.

26. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, an electric motor for rotating the spindle to wind yarn thereon to form a package, a tension device for imposing an initially predetermined.

friction on the yarn being wound, a switch for cutting off or letting on the supply of current to the motor, a device for opposing a resistance to tension on the yarn for operating the switch when a predetermined tension of the yarn is exceeded.

27. In a winding machine, a winding spindle, a motor for rotating the spindle to wind yarn thereon to form a package, means for imposing a predetermined initial surface friction on the yarn and varying the friction proportional to the winding speedas the package builds up to maintain the speed of winding substantially in accordance with a substantially constant tension on the yarn,'and means governed by yarn tensions above and below a predetermined high tension for rapidly cutting off and letting on the supply of current to the motor under small fluctuations of tension above and below the high tension to maintain a high speed oi. the spindle and proportionate yarn tension at a high linear speed of the yarn.

28. In a yarn winding apparatus, a winding spindle on which-the yarn is wound to form a package, a motor for driving the spindle, a tension device for imposing a, predetermined initial tension on the yarn being wound, means operative in the action of the apparatus for controlling the tension device to progressively decrease the tension on the yarn as the diameter of the package increases, motor controlling means for throwing the motor out of and into action, and means controlled by the tension on the yarn and influenced when the yarn tension exceeds a high limit to influence the motor controlling means to throw the motor out of action and when the tension falls below the high limit to influence the motor controlling means to throw the motor into action, said motor controlling means and said means controlled by the tension on the yarn being adapted for quick actions on slight fluctuations of I speed as high as possible without substantially exceeding the high tension limit.

29. In a yarn winding mechanism, winding means, electrical means for driving the winding means, tension means for imposing a predetermined tension upon the yarn being wound, and current control means for controlling the supply of current to the driving means, said current control means comprising a normally open mercury relay and a normally closed micro-switch, said switch being opened and closed by relatively high and low tensions respectively on the yarn to close and open the relay.

HOWARD W. DOUGHTY. JR. 

